The projected revenues for the “Maverick” bill drops to less than $700 million.
After starting at nearly $4 billion in new revenue, the Senate may compromise further to just $1 billion, handing victories to Gov. Mark Warner and the House GOP while leaving the courageous Senators out on a limb, as they will get painted as extremists who were reigned in by a moderate Governor and Republicans. This will likely damage the chances of electing more House moderates from both parties in 2005.
Has the Governor forgotten about tax fairness? The Roanoke Times reports he, too, is willing to forget the income tax increases. What exactly motivates him?
Sen. Dick Saslaw (D-Fairfax)hits the nail on the head: “We can’t, at least from my standpoint, repeal the estate tax on the one hand and impose the sales tax, which falls heaviest on the low-end people, without providing some other form of equity.”
Meanwhile, a possible counter offer of a local sales tax option would only work for most localities if – and that is a big IF — they get to keep all the extra revenue they raise.
Roanoke Time says the anti-taxers’ stand “is a pander, not a principle.”
Here’s what Virginia Beach residents told their lawmakers.
As the problems mount…
Did the Richmond Times Dispatch editors watch the same press conference I did?: “The scene from the White House projected an air of seriousness and competence, recognized even by those disagreeing with the President’s policies.” Competence? Bush as much admitted that he’s afraid to appear in front of the 9/11 commission without Dick Chaney holding his hand.
And then they say the UN is “populated by clowns and jackbooted potentates.”
The Virginian Pilot takes on their area’s congressional delegation who seem to have forgotten the GOP mantra of live within your means.
Charlottesville police call off DNA testing.
Is there another candidate in the Lt. Guv’s race?